Bonsai Tree Care – Page 3 – Chinese Bonsai Garden

How to Wire Bonsai Tree The Right Way

A wiring technique in bonsai is used to better control and manipulation the structure of the tree. We use wiring to fill in bare spots of the tree, create a movement or simply to change the direction of the branch.

It would be very hard, and sometimes even impossible, to create a bonsai that we want without using a wire.

Correct wiring is almost an art form in itself and takes a lot of practice to get it right. If the tree is wired nicely, you can display it without wire being an issue.

Wire Types

There are two main types of wire used for bonsai: aluminum and copper. Aluminum wire is not as strong as copper, but easier to apply and easier to remove. It is better for beginners because it is much more forgiving than copper.

How To Water Your Bonsai Tree

Bonsai trees like regular trees need water to survive. Most of the beginners run into a problem of overwatering or underwatering the tree. Don’t feel bad. We all have done it. We all killed a few trees before getting it right. Watering bonsai the RIGHT way takes time and practice.

Regular trees in the natural environment can adjust and regulate their water intake by growing more or less roots. If there is not enough water, trees will extend their roots far into the ground searching for moisture. As a result, trees that grow in drier climates have larger root system.

If the tree grows in a wet climate where there is a lot of moister available, it doesn’t need long roots to get enough water. Those trees usually have a shallow root system. Bonsai plants need considerably less water proportional to its size.

Since bonsai grows in a small shallow pot with a little compost, it doesn’t have the ability to adjust or regulate water intake. Also, because there is not much soil in the pot, it dries out quicker and is greatly affected by the surroundings, like humidity levels, temperatures, season, location (outdoors/indoors) and so on.

How to Choose a Bonsai Tree

You need to consider few things when choosing a bonsai tree. First decide where you are going to put your bonsai tree, whether you would like to grow it outdoors or indoors. This will directly determine your choice of bonsai tree.

Outdoors or Indoors

A lot of people think that bonsai are houseplants but most of the bonsai are hardy trees and cannot live indoors. Imagine digging out a maple tree from your yard and bringing it indoors. I will not survive for long. Bonsai maple is just a smaller version of the real tree.

If you want to grow your bonsai tree outdoors make sure your winters are not too cold and not too warm for the species you select.

How To Fertilize Bonsai Tree

Like any other container plant bonsai trees need to be fertilized. Very often in the fertilizers are called plant food. That can confuse many beginners. Fertilizers are NOT food but rather vitamins for the tree. The real food for plants comes from water and oxygen. In natural environment, trees have long roots and are able to gather necessary elements from the soil and water.

Bonsai Tree Repotting Step-by-Step

Bonsai should be repotted every few years. The best time of the year for repotting is during spring or early summer when buds are starting to swell. The frequency of repotting depends on the plant specifications, but repotting technique is the same.

Flowering apples and cherries should be repotted in early fall. Azaleas and quince should be repotted immediately after they have finished flowering. Bonsai repotting has many advantages. It improves soil quality because soil breaks down over time. Fresh soil helps to bring more air to the roots of the plant.

Repotting process involves removing old roots making room for new ones, which helps to keep your bonsai small. Bonsai repotting also helps water retention since fresh soil holds water much longer. You can prevent potential pests and diseases by checking roots after removing your bonsai from the pot.

Bonsai Tree Tools

Bonsai professionals use a lot of different tools to style their trees. While it can be overwhelming for the beginner, there is no need to panic. You don’t have to get every tool out there. I would suggest starting with the basic tools and expending your collection later.

Three Must Have Bonsai Tools

There are three basic tools that you will need: Traditional Shears, Concave Cutter, Wire Cutters. Each of these tools does a specific task that you will need to perform. With proper care, these tools will last you for years, so it is a great investment. All of them are high quality and are sold at reasonable prices.

Top 7 Bonsai Repotting Mistakes

Bonsai repotting is not as difficult as many bonsai beginners think. A while ago, I posted step-by-step instructions that make bonsai repotting the easiest thing you’ve ever done. Today, I will tell you what bonsai repotting mistakes you should avoid:

1. Using the same pot

Young bonsai grow faster than well established ones, so make sure to use a larger pot when repotting your bonsai tree. New pot should be clean and dry.

2. Cutting too much

When root trimming make sure to leave the root mass near the trunk undamaged. By keeping the inner root mass closest to the trunk unharmed, you bonsai will remain strong and healthy.